Meet this year’s March for Babies ambassador family

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – Ahead of this year’s March for Babies, one family shares their story to inspire and educate others.

Sherri and Paul Armitage and their four children are this year’s March of Dimes ambassador family in the Coastal Empire. The annual march raises funds to make sure that moms and babies everywhere get the best possible care.

It’s something the Armitage family has experienced firsthand. They struggled to have a baby, so they resolved the issue with intrauterine insemination.

“We had to use some medication and everything to get everything working. When it finally worked it really worked,” said Armitage.

The parents found out at seven weeks that they would have not one but four children.

The unexpected gift came with some initial fears including preterm labor and this scare.

“There was one that was a couple days behind not growing quite as quickly and so we thought that we might lose one,” Armitage said.

After learning everything that could go wrong, the parents educated themselves and made it through the journey with peace of mind. Their miracles were born at 31 weeks and all were over 3 pounds.

“They were all there exactly 33 days, exactly 33 days,” said Armitage. “They were born the day after Thanksgiving and went home on New Year’s Eve.”

As the 2019 ambassador family for the March of Dimes March for Babies, they share their story in hopes to support others.

“One of my biggest things with the ambassador is just really encouraging women of childbearing years and women who are pregnant to get all the care and advocate for themselves,” Armitage said. “If anything feels backward or feels funny, say something to your doctor about it because you never know what could happen.”

There is never a dull moment in the Armitage family. Sherri and Paul have the mindset of being grateful and they’re ready to take the next chapter in their lives with love and patience.

“I have to slow down. I have to really listen to each of them, and I just really appreciate every moment we have,” Armitage said, adding, “I know that this is a really special gift and it could have gone so many ways.”